6 best accounting software for churches

Unlike standard businesses, churches rely on fund accounting, which requires specialized tools to manage multiple revenue sources, designated funds, and ministry expenses. Church accounting software is designed to help churches organize financial records, automate bookkeeping, and maintain full transparency.

Does church accounting software improve financial oversight?

Church accounting software enhances financial oversight by improving accuracy, transparency, and efficiency in managing church funds. Churches handle multiple revenue sources, such as tithes, donations, grants, and event fees. Without structured accounting, funds can be misallocated, records may become inconsistent, and compliance risks increase.

• Eliminates manual errors and ensures financial accuracy: Nonprofits report 60% higher financial discrepancies, usually due to bookkeeping errors. Church accounting software automates data entry, categorizes transactions, and prevents duplicate entries, reducing costly mistakes and ensuring every dollar is accounted for.
• Generates real-time financial reports for better decision-making: Church leaders need clear and up-to-date financial insights to make informed budgeting decisions. With built-in reporting tools, churches can generate financial statements, balance sheets, and expense reports in seconds, ensuring transparency with staff, donors, and board members.
• Automates fund tracking for designated donations: Unlike traditional businesses, churches must separate funds for different ministries, outreach programs, and operational costs. Church accounting software automatically tracks restricted and unrestricted funds, ensuring compliance and preventing accidental misallocation.
• Enhances fraud prevention with built-in security controls: Churches lose an estimated $39 billion annually to fraud due to weak internal controls. Church accounting systems offer multi-user permissions, audit logs, and restricted access settings, making it harder for unauthorized individuals to manipulate financial data.
• Improves budgeting and long-term financial planning: Most churches operate on tight budgets. Accounting software monitors spending, forecasts future expenses, and identifies areas to cut costs, helping churches allocate funds efficiently to sustain operations and ministries.
• Simplifies tax compliance and reporting: Churches may be tax-exempt, but they still need to file annual financial reports, manage payroll taxes, and ensure IRS compliance. Many church accounting solutions integrate automated tax calculations, payroll management, and IRS-ready forms, reducing the risk of filing errors and penalties. Additionally, built-in bank reconciliation features help churches ensure that recorded transactions match actual bank statements, thus minimizing discrepancies.

Best accounting software for churches

A small church with a limited budget may need a simple, low-cost accounting solution for tracking donations and expenses. In contrast, large churches or multi-campus ministries require advanced tools with fund accounting, payroll management, and automated reporting to handle complex finances.

Pastors or volunteers usually handle this software solution. Larger churches, however, have dedicated finance teams or administrators to manage their books.

1. PowerChurch: Best for comprehensive financial management

PowerChurch is a well-established accounting software designed specifically for churches and religious organizations. Founded in 1984, it has remained a trusted solution for managing church finances, membership records, and administrative tasks.

Unlike many general accounting tools, PowerChurch combines fund accounting needs, donor management, and event scheduling into a single platform. It offers both desktop (PowerChurch Plus) and online (PowerChurch Online) versions, making it accessible for different church setups.

Key benefits

• Handles fund accounting, payroll, and expense tracking, ensuring complete financial management.
• Includes membership and donor contribution tracking for better financial transparency.
• Available in both desktop and cloud-based versions, providing flexible access.
• It offers sermon records, equipment inventory, and event schedules, making it more than just an accounting tool.
• Expandable with add-ons for attendance tracking and mass mailings to enhance church engagement.

Drawbacks

• The user interface is outdated, making navigation less intuitive.
• PowerChurch Plus only runs on Windows, limiting desktop users on other systems.
• Requires some accounting knowledge, which may pose challenges for beginners.

PowerChurch is ideal for mid-sized to large churches needing an all-in-one financial and administrative solution. It works best for churches with dedicated finance teams or administrators who can manage fund accounting and reporting efficiently.

2. Aplos: Best for relationship management features

Aplos is a cloud-based accounting software designed specifically for churches and nonprofits. Created by a CPA who is also a pastor, it goes beyond basic accounting by offering fund tracking, donor management, and communication tools to help churches manage both their finances and congregation relationships. Its scalable pricing structure ensures churches only pay for what they need, making it a great long-term solution.

Key benefits

• Fund accounting tools allow churches to track grants, donations, and designated funds with ease.
• A built-in donor database helps track the history of the donation and create targeted outreach campaigns.
• Integrated online giving tools simplify tithes, donations, and fundraising efforts.
• Church website builder lets churches create an online presence to engage members.
• Seamless Gusto payroll integration provides a stress-free way to manage payroll.
• Deep financial reporting and analytics help churches analyze giving trends and spending habits.

Drawbacks

• Budgeting and recurring transactions require an upgraded plan, increasing costs for advanced users.
• No built-in payroll system, requiring integration with third-party software like Gusto.
• Custom solutions for larger churches require a quote, making pricing less transparent at higher tiers.

Aplos is ideal for churches that want an all-in-one financial and relationship management platform. It’s best for churches looking to streamline accounting, donor engagement, and online presence in a single software.

3. ChurchTrac: Best for user-friendliness

ChurchTrac is an affordable and easy-to-use church management software that simplifies fund accounting, budgeting, and financial tracking. Designed for churches looking for a straightforward accounting solution, it helps ministries manage funds, donations, and expenses without requiring extensive accounting knowledge. With automated transaction categorization, bank syncing, and built-in budgeting tools, ChurchTrac makes financial oversight more accessible for churches of all sizes.

Key benefits

• Fund accounting tools ensure designated funds are properly tracked and managed for financial transparency.
• Bank synchronization allows churches to import transactions automatically, reducing manual bookkeeping.
• Custom transaction categorization ensures accurate and consistent financial records with minimal effort.
• Built-in budgeting tools help churches plan annual expenses and monitor financial goals.
• Affordable pricing with a free plan makes it a budget-friendly choice for smaller churches.

Drawbacks

• Limited advanced accounting features make it less suitable for larger churches with complex finances.
• Fewer integrations compared to other accounting software, requiring manual work for some tasks.
• Check printing is available but may not support all bank formats, requiring customization.

ChurchTrac is best for small to mid-sized churches that need a user-friendly and budget-friendly accounting solution. It’s ideal for churches looking for basic financial tracking, easy fund management, and automated bookkeeping.

4. Realm: Best for customer support

Realm offers a church-focused financial management system that seamlessly integrates with its donor engagement and church administration features. With its dedicated support team and training resources, churches can easily navigate accounting tasks while ensuring compliance and accuracy. Whether handling fund accounting, online giving, or financial reporting, Realm simplifies the process, making it accessible for churches of all sizes.

Key benefits

• Built specifically for churches, ensuring that accounting and donation tracking align with church financial needs.
• Robust customer support is available via phone, email, and chat, making troubleshooting easier.
• An integrated online giving platform allows members to donate anytime, with automatic tracking and reporting.
• Mobile app for both staff and congregation enables easy access to financial records and church communications.
• Training resources, webinars, and ongoing assistance help churches get the most out of the platform.

Drawbacks

• Accounting features are an add-on, meaning churches must pay extra for financial management tools.
• Pricing is not transparent on the website, so direct contact with Realm for custom quotes is required.
• Advanced accounting users may find it limited, as it focuses more on church management than complex financial reporting.

Realm is ideal for churches looking for an all-in-one solution with strong support and online giving features. It works well for mid-sized to large churches that need seamless communication, financial tracking, and donor management in one place.

5. QuickBooks Online: Scalable and flexible accounting solution

QuickBooks Online is a versatile and widely used accounting software that offers customizable financial management for churches. While it’s not specifically designed for church accounting, its fund tracking, automated bank syncing, and customizable reports make it a strong option for churches that need a reliable and scalable accounting tool. With over 750 app integrations, churches can easily connect QuickBooks with other tools for donor management, payroll, and financial reporting.

Key benefits

• Easy bank syncing ensures all financial transactions are updated automatically.
• Fund tracking features allow churches to manage designated donations and ministry budgets.
• Customizable financial reports provide clear oversight of income, expenses, and cash flow.
• More than 750 third-party integrations help tailor the software to specific church needs.
• Comprehensive tax compliance tools help manage nonprofit tax filings and financial regulations.
• Strong customer support with daily phone support and 24/7 chat assistance.

Drawbacks

• It is not built specifically for church accounting, requiring a custom setup for fund tracking.
• Limited user access per plan, meaning churches may need higher-tier plans for multiple users.
• No built-in church management tools, so additional integrations are needed for attendance tracking, donations, and event management.

QuickBooks Online is best for churches that need a powerful, flexible accounting tool without extra church management features. It’s ideal for finance teams or administrators familiar with accounting software who want customizable reports and automation.

6. ChMeetings: Best for visual financial insights

ChMeetings is a comprehensive church management software that helps churches organize finances, track contributions, and manage operations all in one platform. While primarily known for member and event management, it also includes financial tracking tools that allow churches to monitor funds, track expenses, and generate visual financial reports.

Key benefits

• Tracks expenses, funds, and contributions, ensuring churches maintain accurate financial records.
• Visual financial reports provide clear insights, making budgeting and planning easier.
• Custom budgeting tools help churches monitor financial goals and adjust spending.
• Integrates accounting with other church operations, simplifying overall financial management.
• Offers a free version, making it a cost-effective option for churches with limited budgets.

Drawbacks

• Lacks advanced accounting features, making it less suitable for complex financial needs.
• Limited customization in financial reporting may not work for churches with specific reporting requirements.
• Requires integrations for full functionality, meaning churches may need additional software for certain tasks.

ChMeetings is ideal for churches that need basic financial tracking with strong visual reporting tools. It’s best for churches looking to integrate accounting with event management, membership tracking, and outreach efforts.

Choosing the right accounting software for your church

No two churches have the same financial needs. A small congregation with a few hundred members may only require basic expense tracking, donation management, and accounts payable processing, while a large multi-campus church needs advanced fund accounting, payroll processing, and deep financial reporting.

Additionally, the implementation time depends on the software's complexity and the church's size. Smaller churches using simple accounting tools can be up and running within a few days, while larger churches transitioning to a feature-rich platform may take several weeks for data migration, user training, and system setup.

Fund accounting capabilities

Fund accounting is a system that ensures donations and church funds are used as intended. Unlike traditional businesses, churches receive restricted and unrestricted donations that must be tracked separately.

Without proper fund accounting, churches risk misallocating resources, losing donor trust, and violating nonprofit financial regulations. The right software helps separate funds for ministries, outreach programs, and operational expenses, ensuring compliance and transparency.

Integration with church management tools

Many churches use church management software (ChMS) to handle membership databases, attendance tracking, and event planning. The right accounting software should integrate with these tools to sync financial data with church operations.

Without integrations, churches may need to manually enter donation records, payroll data, and expense reports, increasing the risk of errors and duplicate data entry. A connected system ensures real-time updates across financial and administrative processes.

Customization & scalability

Churches vary in size and complexity. What works for a small local congregation may not be suitable for a multi-campus megachurch. Scalable software adapts to changing needs, allowing churches to add users, upgrade features, and manage growth.

If the software is too basic, a growing church may outgrow its features, requiring a costly switch later. On the other hand, a complex system with unnecessary features may be overwhelming for smaller churches with simple financial needs. Finding a balance between functionality and usability is key.

Financial reporting & compliance

Churches must generate reports for donors, leadership teams, and tax filings. Good accounting software provides automated reports on income, expenses, fund allocations, and donor contributions to ensure financial accountability.

Failing to maintain proper financial records can lead to audit risks, legal penalties, and loss of nonprofit status. Churches also need clear reports for annual giving statements, allowing donors to claim tax deductions. Automated reporting saves time and ensures accuracy.

Customer support & training

Not all church staff are financial experts, so strong customer support and training are essential. Many software providers offer live support, help centers, training webinars, and community forums to assist users.

When issues arise, churches need reliable support to resolve accounting discrepancies, software errors, or integration problems. A provider with responsive customer service and educational resources helps churches use the software effectively without hiring outside financial professionals.

Strengthen your church’s finances with the right accounting software

By managing your church finances, you ensure stability, transparency, and long-term sustainability. Churches operate under unique financial constraints, relying on donations, grants, and designated funds to support their ministries. Without the right accounting tools, tracking these funds can become complicated, time-consuming, and prone to errors.

The right accounting software provides financial clarity, ensuring that every contribution is properly recorded and allocated. It automates essential tasks like fund accounting, donor tracking, and expense management, reducing administrative burden and minimizing the risk of compliance issues.

Beyond financial tracking, smart expense management is just as crucial. Integrating tools like Ramp with church accounting software can help automate bill payments, categorize expenses accurately, and streamline reimbursements. This allows churches to maintain financial discipline while focusing on their mission.